Rita’s and Hamantaschen
March 21, 2019
What do Rita’s water ice and Hamantaschen have to do with March 20, 2019? They were both served on this the first day of Spring, which also happens to be the Jewish holiday of Purim this year. One is water ice; the other is a 3 cornered jelly filled pocket pastry.
Celebrating the first day of Spring with Rita’s water ice needs no explanation. However, celebrating the Jewish Feast of Purim, which happens to fall on the first day of Spring this year, may be less understood. Simply put, Purim is a Jewish holiday which remembers the deliverance of the Jewish people from a plot to destroy all of them as recorded in the Book of Esther in the Bible.
The Persian empire, of the 4th century BCE extended over 127 lands, and all the Jews were its subjects under the reign of King Ahasuerus. When King Ahasuerus deposed his wife Queen Vashti for failing to follow his orders (Esther 1), he found a replacement. Esther, a Jewish girl, found favor in Ahasuerus’ eyes and became the new queen, though she refused to divulge her Jewish identity (Esther 2).
Meanwhile, the anti-Semitic Haman was appointed prime minister of the empire and he convinced the king to issue a decree ordering the extermination of all the Jews on the 13th of Adar—a date chosen by casting Purim or lots (Esther 3). Haman’s plans were foiled by Queen Esther and her cousin, Mordecai, and the Jews went from being the focus of a decree against them, to becoming the ones allowed, by royal proclamation, to defend themselves against their enemies. On the 13th day of Adar, the Jews were victorious over the Persians. On the 14th day of Adar, they rested and celebrated, thus the feast of Purim (Esther 9). It usually falls in late February or March in the Western calendar.
A popular treat during Purim is Hamantaschen, a filled (typically jelly) pocket pastry with a three cornered shape. The cookies are said to be named after Haman and the symbolism of the three corners is highly speculative. Do the corners resemble the three cornered hat supposedly worn by Haman? Or did the jelly treat in the pocket of the pastry symbolize God’s providential hand? The jelly is wrapped inside of the cookie just as God’s hand was hidden within the events of the Book of Esther. God was working behind the scenes to bring about the salvation of His people!
Whatever the true symbolism is, I enjoyed homemade Hamanstachen in Bible study this morning where the Book of Esther is being taught. And then I washed it down with a free wild black cherry water ice from Rita’s! Happy Spring and Happy Purim!
3 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
Ecclesiastes 3: 1